IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS – AT 8:04 A.M. ...of philosopher Yogi Berra, "it's déjà vu all over again."  Our sophisticated, worldly president – vastly more intellectual and traveled than his Texas predecessor – explores far and wide for new talent, and does it all for us.  From Andrew Malcolm in the L.A. Times's Top of the Ticket blog:

In an obvious effort to broaden the representation of Chicagoans and former Clinton aides in his administration, President Obama has reportedly begun talks to bring William Daley into the White House as a top assistant, possibly even as chief of staff.

Obama's first chief of staff was Rahm Emanuel, a former House member from Chicago's North Side who has returned to Chicago to become mayor.

He can do this because Richard M. Daley, the brother of William Daley, has decided to retire this winter from his City Hall political throne where he's run the Windy City's vaunted Democratic machine for a generation, or about as long as Richard J. Daley, the father of Richard M. and William.

Neither of the Richard Daleys nor William Daley should be confused with Valerie Jarrett, who was City Hall chief of staff for Richard M. and once hired Michelle Robinson as an aide. She....

...went on to become Michelle Obama and then first lady of the United States and hired her Chicago friend and fundraiser Desiree Rogers as social secretary before leading Chicago's delegation to Copenhagen to not capture the 2016 Olympics.

Rogers, however, comes from a different faction of the Chicago party than Jarrett, so she eventually had to go. But everyone should know that it wasn't Rogers' screw-up over letting into the Obamas' first state dinner that annoying Salahi couple, who are luckily not from Chicago or they might have trouble with garbage collection, among other city services.

Another top Obama aide, David Axelrod, is also from Chicago.

COMMENT:  Oh come on, we all know that all the talent in the world is in Chicago, don't we?  And they're all named Daley.

It is remarkable that, two years into office, Mr. Obama doesn't understand the word "appearances."  To bring in the brother of the king of Chicago's political machine does not inspire confidence, no matter how competent the guy may be. 

All presidents bring in some local friends and allies at the start of their administration.  Most get over it.

January 4, 2011